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Access Type

WSU Access

Date of Award

January 2022

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Department

Biomedical Engineering

First Advisor

Mahendra Kavdia

Second Advisor

Adi L. Tarca

Abstract

Premature birth (delivery between 20 and 36+6 weeks of gestation) is the leading cause of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Therefore, timely identification of women at risk of subsequently delivering prematurely remains key to reducing the number of adverse outcomes. Amniotic fluid surrounding the developing fetus is a rich source of biological signals emanating from the fetus and pregnancy-related maternal organs. The molecular composition of amniotic fluid reflects not only the physiologic state of the pregnancy, including the development of fetal organ systems, but also the pathophysiology. This project explores the amniotic fluid proteins and RNAs in normal and preterm pregnancies to identify candidate biomarkers of prematurity. The findings are relevant not only for in-utero fetal maturation monitoring but also for identifying asymptomatic women at risk of developing pregnancy complications, thereby reducing the number of adverse outcomes for the mother and her neonate.

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